Only dead fish follow the river: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo made history by winning an incredible six gold medals at his home World Championships in Trondheim in 2025. The exceptional Norwegian athlete has dedicated his entire life to cross-country skiing. In this interview, he talks about his beginnings, his biggest challenges, his role models, and why #livetoski is more than just a hashtag for him.
When did you start skiing?
I started skiing when I was two years old. I got my first pair of skis at Christmas from my grandpa. I thought it was new, but actually my cousin used it before. My first skiing trip was inside. I made a loop from the living room to the kitchen and back.I started skiing when I was two years old. I got my first pair of skis at Christmas from my grandpa. I thought it was new, but actually my cousin used it before. My first skiing trip was inside. I made a loop from the living room to the kitchen and back.
What does #livetoski means for you?
I think this is the story of my life! I have been skiing my whole life. I have been travelling around the world since many years now and it is a great adventure. I ski two times a day every single day and I love doing it. It's nothing else I would do more. Skiing is my life!
What other hobbies do you have?
I’m interested in many sports, but first of all golf is something I’m interested in. I also like to watch Formula 1, and for sure I like to watch soccer. My goal when I was little was to become a professional soccer player, so I’ve been watching it since then. Other than that, I like to meet friends.
What are the top 3 things we should know about you?
- I think I am a quite hard-working guy.
- I am pretty bad in playing Cello. My dad forced me to play Cello for ten years, but I really suck.
- I have this gluten allergic which is sucking as well. It is pretty bad, especially when it comes to deserts, but I get through it.
"Only dead fish follow the river"
How do you deal with pressure?
Before the Olympics in 2018 I struggled a lot with having pain in my throat every day and I was sure I would get sick. When I then crossed the finishline in first place, I felt that my throat was good. After that I learned that the biggest pressure, I put on myself and some parts of me love the pressure as well. I like to put on a bib, and I like to be out there to compete. My shape can be as bad as it can be, but when I put a bib on my chest it feels fun racing. It's something kicking in in my mind.
What advice would you give a young athlete?
The best advice I can give is to have fun. I think this is something I have been learning. Actually, do things with fun and try to follow that road as good as you can. This will help you in your life and in the ski career as well.
What was the biggest breakthrough in your ski career?
For me personally, it was when I was 18 years old and won my first ski race as a junior. Until I was 12, I was really small, and I lost a lot of ski races because of this. This victory was something special to me, because it showed me, that all the job I have done during the years before, keep working on the small details and the technique, paid off.
What is your most important role model?
I think I have two of them. When it comes to skiing Petter Northug was definitely one whom I was looking up to. He has done some amazing things and I had the pleasure to be in the team together with him. We had so much fun together and today he is a good friend of mine. But I also need to mention my grandpa, who is definitely a role model for me. I like to listen to all the stories of his life. I love the Autumn, when I have the change to join him in his cabin, just being up there for some days, fishing or hunting together in the mountains. The way he lives is definitely something I want to follow.
How would you characterize the Fischer brand?
I've always been curious about details, and I think definitely that is something, I can see myself in Fischer. I think the way they're doing things in details and the goal they have, to make the best possible equipment is, what drives them. That is the reason why they are so good at all, because they really want to make the best possible equipment and they're really motivated in doing it. I think that is one of the biggest advantages they have.
